Kalhoun, maybe I should point out that when I came here, I didn’t know anybody. In the six years I’ve been working, I’m the only constant. Seven sets of staff have come and gone, and I hardly get enough time with anyone to get to know them. The one or two people I consider to be friends, well, we’re just friends. You have to know somebody a long time before you can have anything that could be reasonably called love between you. Anybody I knew back in Canada (except for one - my best friend since childhood) has drifted away as a friend because, well, out of sight, out of mind. I can count all the people I know beyond ‘hello’ on the fingers of one hand. Actually, I haven’t known any one person down here for more than two years. It’s that revolving door thing at work.
Only when I want to have sex with them. 
Female, 26
I’m really not comfortable with displays of affection between friends. I only hug a few people and awkwardly at that. I do say “I love you” to my parents and my bf whenever I talk to them, but other than that I find it very uncomfortable. To me, love is a very specific emotion and it’s just not what I share with my friends. I have some very good friends and I would do almost anything for them, but I still don’t feel the same thing for them that I do for my bf or parents, and it seems (to me) to cheapen what I say to my bf and parents if I go around saying the same thing to other people. Plus, I just don’t like talking about emotions and stuff like that.
I say “Love you” to my best friend of 11 years every so often…just sent him a birthday card signed “With love” in fact. 
He is of the opposite sex but gay; that is probably a big factor in why I feel comfortable saying it to him. Most of my other friends are straight men and I would feel weird about saying it to them because I would not want them to see it as a romantic come on.
I dont use the word “love” lightly…but after all we’ve been through together, I definitely consider my best friend to be on equal footing with my blood family. It is rare to find someone outside your family that can see you at your worst and doesn’t run away…that’s love.
Male and no. I’m not touchy feely. It feels inappropriate and awkward. I need “my space”. So, I also recognize others may need “their space” and may also feel uncomfortable. We are talking about friends and acquaintances here, among immediate family or a couple is different. There, the closeness it implies is much different.
It tends not to be done in my part of the world. Don’t touch me or even get in my space because I will step back. Don’t say bullshit sweet crap because I will mark you as insincere. I know who my true friends are and I can count on them.
Car dealers and insurance salesmen do the back slapping, sweet talking bit. Friends do not. If you do it to me, I’ll be on my guard instantly.
I’ve told my best male friends it at one stage or another in joking ways, but we both know that the joke is just a cover because being friends of 10 or more years means we really do love each other like brothers and we’d put ourselves on the line for each other. And when drunk we’ll put our arms around each other and shit just because it’s normal, but i’ve only properly hugged when drunk
I’ve also told it and received it back to my best female friend which was said in a serious way, simply because there’s no false bravado to keep up in that relationship. And we hug often because again, no false bravado, homophobe thingy going on as there often is for males
Female. Nope, don’t say it to my friends. I’m not much of a hugger, either.
I don’t even routinely tell my grown-up, out of the house sons (although I do hug them when I can). But my little guy, yep, he hears it all the time.
My friends are mostly straight women and I’m a straight man, so I feel awkward saying it first sometimes, but I do and I say it back when it’s said to me.
Apologies if this has been said. I think there’s a different tone of voice for a friendly “Aw I love you…” and a sincere, love-love type of “I love you.” So yes, but it’s totally different, and it’s clear that it’s different.
I’ve found that if I do something, it’s a very good indication that it’s a “guy thing” not to do it, and vice versa.
That being the case, I think you’re right, since I say “I love you” to my friends (male and female) fairly often.
I say it to my good friends quite often. I also kiss and hug people I haven’t seen in a while. I’m not overly touchy-feely, but I think it’s important to let the people in your life know how much they mean to me.
Male.
I’m of the “to say it too often cheapens it” school of thought myself, so I don’t say it seriously very often. While I’ve said it ironically or as a joke more than when I’ve really meant it, there’s no confusing that usage with real sentiment. When I do mean it, it means something. It’s not said lightly. I’ve told two male friends that I loved them as friends, and I’ve told a few of my girlfriends over the years that I loved them. I’ve never said “I love you” to get a girl. My current girlfriend needs to hear it more often than I normally say it, so I make some accommodations for her, but I’m still not going to make saying “I love you” into a habit.
I only say it to my wife, and the guy driving the Budweiser truck if he happens to show up at the liquor store while I’m there.
I’ve said it once or twice, during really important, heart-to-hearts with friends (all involving emotional ickiness). Other than that, nope.
I’m also not a hugger, at all. There’s about 4 people in the world who are allowed to hug me. Anyone else can try and will be asked to stop. If they don’t, I’ll break their arms.
One of the above statements may not be entirely true.
Female.
I only say it to my very close friends, and I’m lucky enough to have about six of those. Family doesn’t hear it as often (long story for another thread).
Male.
I find it easier to tell a third person. “So-and-so is great, I love him.” Humans being the big mouths that we are, I know it’ll get back to my friend, “Lev thinks you’re great, he loves you.” It’s easier going through a third party than being all, “I love you man!”
If your heart would break if your friend died, you love them. If you don’t tell them while they are alive, It will eat a hole in your heart after they die.
Why so frugal with something you have an endless supply of? Pass it around.
Love comes in all sizes and shapes. It can be kitten shaped, or big-guy sized.
Love well and wisely, but even if wisdom escapes you, the love you give, enriches you as well as those you love.
I say it to my two best friends everytime I talk to them (as that isn’t very often, we’re all busy with school :(). It’s totally different from what I say to my boyfriend, obviously, but I do love them. They were there for me when no one else was, and I’d like to recognize the bond between us. It’s a sisterly love rather than a sexual love.
No one in my family gets off the phone with out saying it. Well, sometimes my younger sisters, but they’ll come around :P. I do love my family, and what if, God forbid, there was a horrible car accident or something (like in that song “The Last Thing She Said” which always makes me cry).
I’d have to agree with picnurse, that’s a very nice way of saying it.